Updated photography page

I got bored... so I updated my Photography Page! It looks much prettier now! And I found a couple of photos I forgot I had... my new favourites:

Photo shoot number two

I'm so in love... with these photos and that beautiful man right there... xox

This is photo shoot number two, following our Wellington Adventure, for my sister's school portfolio. Enjoy!

Part time models

A couple of weeks ago, my sister, Joshua and I went on a little adventure in in the coolest little capital city in the world. My sister is putting together a photography portfolio for school and asked us to be models.
Here are a few of my favourites.

We did some planned and posed ones...

And we did some candid ones, which are my personal favourites in any photo shoot...

A couple of funny things happened...

And then one of the models became the photographer... It's always nice for my sister and I to get our photo taken together because at any event or photo shoot, it's always one of us behind the camera.

Even though we're out of focus, I think this one has to be one of my favourites...

We had a second photo shoot recently, so watch this space for more fantastic photos by my talented little sis!

Life of late

I've seen this feature on a few of my favourite blogs, so I thought I would try it too. Ideally it will be called "My Week in Photos", but these particular photos are from the past two weeks, so for now it's called "Life of Late" - just a few snapshots of the funness happening in my life right now. It's not often we get to say "life is pretty great right now", so it's an amazing feeling to be able to say it this week and hopefully I'll get to say it next week too.
I hope you're having a great week, and if you're not, tomorrow when you wake up, tell yourself "I'm going to be happy today" and force a smile onto your face. Then do something that makes you happy. Even if you have to go to work, to a job you hate, eat your lunch in a pretty place that makes you feel calm or look around you instead of rushing to work and find something beautiful in your surroundings. You make your own happiness. You get to choose. Remember to smile. :)

These photos are from two main events in the past two weeks: a hike up a HUGE hill that nearly killed us but was worth it for the beautiful view and the amazing sense of accomplishment (see more here), and a photoshoot my sister did of Josh and I for her photography portfolio at school (more of those to come).

New photos on Photography page

I have added some new photos to my Photography page, hope you enjoy. I'm hoping to get my camera back up and running soon so watch this space for some photos of the stunning Wairarapa at it's best: in summer!

Do you remember the moment?

 At first I thought it was when I was an office temp and I was talking to another office temp and she said she had been a journalist in Napier before. With no idea what to do with my life after coming back from the most amazing experience of my life in the USA teaching Jewish kids art at summer camp and travelling through about 25 states in three weeks, that moment had a big impact on my career, as it spurred me to Google journalism courses, and, before I knew it, I was enrolled.

But, the thing that really sparked my passion for journalism was a movie: 13 Going on 30. Yes, it's corny and yes, it's the biggest chick-flick, but back in the days when, on any given day, I wanted to be an astronaut, a travelling artist, and interior designer, or a children's book illustrator, this movie added another career possibility to my list.

I loved everything about the glamour of being a fashion magazine editor: the glamorous clothes, the big modern office, and the ability to control the design of the magazine - especially at the end when they do a total overhaul. I also loved 13-year-old Jenna in 30-year-old Jenna's body's perspective. Wouldn't it be a happy world if we all brought that type of innocence into the office?

After watching it yesterday, it has reignited my passion for the job, and I think sometimes, no matter what type of job you have, we all need to be reminded why we do it.

I feel like the universe is trying to tell me something at the moment, and hopefully that thing is a new step in my life. My journalism mojo is back, I'm writing like I'm on speed (but it's actually just coffee...), I'm reading like a nutter, everyone around me is happy, I'm loving my job, and, after interviewing amazing photographer Esther Bunning, my passion for photography is back. Surely life isn't supposed to be this good right? But maybe it is, considering I'm a magnet for bad luck - maybe the universe is finally smiling on me and giving me some good luck.

So, what was the moment that set you off on your career path?

absence makes the heart grow fonder...

I am seriously hardcore enjoying this lazy summer life I've got going. Though some days have become a haze of boredom and lounging around the house, I'm definitely not complaining.
I'm just counting down until I leave for the happiest place on earth in roughly a month! I have put together some outfits in anticipation so check 'em!

Below you will find some photos I've taken with my gorgeous Canon DSLR.

(please click through for larger high-quality images!)

recently read: started Packing For Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void by Mary Roach. I love it so far! Recommended.
recently watched: Super 8. I adored it's nostalgic throwback to films like The Goonies and E.T. and I also sensed a distinct connection to The Iron Giant...
recently obsessed over: Dr. Who, the tv series. I started at season 5 (Matt Smith, SWOON) and my first impression is...WHERE HAS THIS SHOW BEEN ALL MY LIFE??!!
recently listened to: Speaking in Tongues (feat. David Byrne) - Arcade Fire
recently worn: a whole bunch of cute stuff! have a looksie here!